Canvas Inspiration from Design Team Member Riikka Kovasin!

Hi everyone!  How are you all getting along with our current mood board HERE?

Time is running out as our challenge closes midnight EST on the last day of the month!

Do you remember that you are allowed to submit CANVASES to our challenge?

 As long as they are a minimum of 8 x 8 inches??  Canvases are FUN TO MAKE - 

let's take a look at one recently created by RIIKKA KOVASIN - our Finnish Ambassador!!

Hello! Riikka here, haring a canvas I made for the Prima PPP challenge this month!

 A while back I got small light-bulbs from my work place & immediately saw their potential

as part of a canvas, together with some Prima blooms. The image I had in my mind 

was a towering cluster of flowers, bulbs & random pieces in the middle of a canvas. 

{inspired by the fabulous work of a favourite scrapbooker, Kasia Krzyminska}.

I began with the background, using patterned paper scraps that I adhered using gel medium.

 Next I started layering different pieces on top - the light-bulbs,die-cut flowers,

 puzzle pieces, Prima embellishments & lastly the flowers. 

Then I waited for the gel medium to dry.

Next I painted over everything with gesso {EXCEPT for the light-bulbs, 

as I wanted them to remain clear}.  I dried my canvas off using my 

heat gun then added a few epoxy stickers.

 Time to colour! I grabbed a few mists & sprayed the canvas with yellows & reds thus creating a yellow-orange 

colour scheme. As the gesso prevents the paints from soaking in the mists have to be layered. 

I sprayed three coats in total,wiping the light-bulbs & epoxy stickers reach time so they remained clear. 

Then I added touches of black & also flicked black, white and yellow paint across my canvas.

For the final touch I doodled some pencil lines around the design. 

This is something I almost can't live without - a little touch of pencil goes a long way!

  Then I added the alpha stickers, which I shaded using a chalk inker.

 I took my canvas back to my workplace to show my co-workers why I asked them to collect the burnt-out light-bulbs for me :)  They liked it so much they asked if they could keep it & of course I said YES!!   I was only happy to give it to them!  I hope I have inspired YOU to create your own canvas SOON!  Wishing you a lovely week full of light!!

THANK YOU RIIKKA!

Please leave some ♥ for Riikka if you enjoyed this tutorial.

Step-by-Step Layout Tutorial by Design Team Member Eila Sandberg!

Hello there everyone!  

Today we have one of our Designers,Eila Sandberg, sharing her creative 

process with you in this EXCLUSIVE tutorial created just for us!!  Yay!!!

You can read more about Eila on our Design Team page HERE.

Hello everyone! I actually don't have much of a planned process

 but it always starts with either the papers or the flowers. I have a 

huge crush on papers & flowers!  Always GOT TO HAVE  flowers on 

my pages!!  This particular page came about when I was sorting a

 pile of papers & they happened to come up in the order almost 

identical to what I ended up using! Here's a peek at my finished page...

Step 1 - Choose papers & layer them in the 

order you want them to appear on your page.

Step 2 - Select the embellishments you want to use

& decide approximately where you think they will be

placed or clustered on your page.

Step 3 - Remove your chosen embellishments 
then cut, layer & adhere your papers.

Step 4 - Prepare your background by adding your mixed media.

I almost always use modelling paste through a stencil/mask, as well

as misting & stamping.  I love my Prima brick stamp & use it often,

as well as toilet rolls, lids & cups to stamp circles on my pages.

Step 5.  Once your background is dry layer up & adhere 

your photo & main embellishments, ie fussy-cut papers & 

chipboard.  NOT your flowers at this stage!

{Note to other "chunky" scrappers - if you love bumpy details

this is easily achieved by using foam strips or 3D pop dots under

your photo so that other layers can easily be tucked in around

& under it.  You need to leave about 1/2" around the edge 

for this to be possible so don't position your foam tape right

to the edge of your photo -remember to leave a small gap}.

Step 6.  Add mediums to your embellishments too.  Here I decided

 to add more dimension to my chipboard houses once they were 

already adhered, so I smeared out some Glass Gel Bead medium

 on them with my finger as well as adding it randomly around my page. 

Once dry the gel bead medium looks much nicer as you see below!

Step 7 -  Add some light touches of acrylic paint to your raised areas 

to bring out the dimension.  Often I use several colours for this.

Step 8.  Continue to layer!  That is what my style is all about!!  

Layering first with papers, then with mediums, then with 

embellishments!  Here I added a crackle effect on top of 

the chipboard elements & background using a crackle stamp.

Step 9.  Take a look at your layout & add more embellishments 
in order to enhance the "flow" of your page.  

Step 10.  Add mediums to your embellishments, for example

I often dab cream acrylic paint onto my flowers to tone them

down a bit (I find white gesso too stark!} I often add an

accent colour using acrylic paint, applied with my index finger.

Step 11.  Set your layout aside then look at it again the following day,

with "fresh" eyes!  Often I add my finishing touches at this point.

{that little " something something!!"} or I may shift something from

one point to another.  

Step 12. Day 2!  Distress & ink the edges of your page (ALL the layers!) 

{which is why I don't  stick my papers down all the way to the edges}.

Sometimes I spray a little water on my papers to fluff them up a bit, drying off 

with a heat gun (this adds a nice, lightly distressed look). Lastly I add some

 extra touches of misting & stamping, making sure to protect my photo by 

covering it with a piece of card first.

And here is a reminder of what the finished page looks like.

So there you have it! 

 Backwards I know but that's how I do it!!

***As my process is fairly lengthy I work on a couple of pages at a time,

so while the mediums are drying on one, I am working on the other :)***

This is the page I created on the same day as the one you've just seen!

Thank you Eila!  

I have always wanted to know exactly how Eila achieves such beautiful creations!!  

Now I see that there are no short cuts to perfection & every page she creates

 is a labour of love!!! If you are interested to see what products Eila has used

on these pages please pay a visit to her blog to see!

http://dollopsofscrap.blogspot.com

October 2013 Guest Designer Zeneva Kovic of Australia!

*Please view our latest challenge HERE - you have 12 days left to enter!*

Today we welcome the winner of our September 2013 Challenge, 

Zeneva Kovic of Australia, back as our October Guest Designer! 

Hello! My name is Zeneva & I live in a regional sea-side town of South Australia with my 3 young children. 

I study at university & shall complete my degree at the end of this year - after 5 years - YAY! 

For 'me' time I love to scrap. At first it was to document the moments & memories of my 

children that I feared I would otherwise forget, but it has become so much more than that. 

In addition to memory keeping, it is about self-expression, creativity & letting go,

 in what has become, for me, a connected, supportive & safe environment. 

Plus, I love all the colour! It makes me happy!

I'm thrilled to be Guest Designing here at Scrap Around The World!

 Thank you so much for having me!!

Zeneva worked with our current mood board above.

Phew!  Now THIS is the type of layout that makes me catch my breath!

I LOVE how Zeneva has incorporated so many of the colours from our mood board into this beautiful piece!

The blues, greens, pinks & yellows as well as the splash of gold from the shoes are all evident!

Well THAT was awesome!  Don't chya think?!?

Thanks so much Zeneva for creating this special layout especially for us this month!!  

Zeneva is clearly one seriously talented artist with an obvious zest for life that comes through in her pages!  Please remember to leave some comment LOVE for her ♥  & please enter our challenge if you haven't already done so!

MORE Guest Design Team Inspiration from the Donna Salazar Design Team!

Hello again! We have another Guest Design Team to join us for the October challenge

 & they are none other than the Donna Salazar Design Team, who are our main sponsor

 this month. They have created gorgeous layouts inspired by our current mood board 

& sketch, featuring awesome products designed by Donna Salazar. 

Donna Salazar - http://donnasalazardesigns.blogspot.com

DSD :- 

GCD Studios: "Family Jeans" and "Fun & Funky" Patterned Papers,
"Fun & Funky" Chipboard Alphas, Mix'd Media Stax 2

Clearsnap :- 

Mix'd Media Inx (Jasmine, Peaches, Denim, Peridot), Mix'd Media Inx Embossing
powder (Jasmine) Smooch Spritz (Sea Kiss, Cashmere), Glue Gloss, glitter,
 Emboss Gloss, Opalescent Clear Embossing powder

Want 2 Scrap :-

8x10 cardboard

Spellbinders Dies :-

Bitty Blossoms, Carnation Creations, Peony Creations,
Wonderful Wings Zutter: Distrezz-it-All

 

 Helena Johansson: http://willeasscrap.blogspot.com/

Papers :- 

GCD Studios: Donna Salazar - Natural Beauty collection - Nancy's Mushrooms & Wall Vines

GCD Studios: Donna Salazar - Family Jeans collection - Heirloom

GCD Studios: Donna Salazar - Fun & Funky collection - Fun Scallop

Chipboard :-

Want2Scrap: Donna Salazar - Swirls

GCD Studios: Donna Salazar - Natural Beauty collection - chipboard alpha

Stencil :-

Want2Scrap: Donna Salazar - Hearts

Ink and glitter:-

Mix'd Media Inx - Patina

Fairydust glitter - Sugar Shimmer

 Mistra Hoolahan - http://mistrabutterfly.blogspot.com/

DSD Products used :-

GCD Studios Family Jeans Patterned Papers

GCD Studios Chipboard Alphas, Natural Beauty

Clearsnap Mix'd Media Inx, Chiffon

Want 2 Scrap Canvas

Spellbinders Dies, Wonderful Wings

Tracey Sabella: http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

DSD papers used :-

GCD Studios ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Family Jeans, Family Eyelet A & B

GCD Studios ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Family Jeans, Houndstooth B

GCD Studios ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Natural Beauty, Soaring A

GCD Studios ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Natural Beauty, Blue Fence A

GCD Studios ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Natural Beauty, Twiggy A & B

Inks/Mists/Embossing :-

Clearsnap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Mix'd Media Inx - Jasmine, chiffon, Patina, Truffle

Clearsnap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Mix'd Media Inx Embossing Powder - Jasmine, Leather

Clearsnap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Mix'd Media Inx CHOX - Sparrow, DriftwoodClearsnap ~ 

Clearsnap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Smooch Spritz, Sea Breeze

Clearsnap ~ Top Boss Embossing Powder, Clear

Dies/Embossing Folders :-

Spellbinders ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Grand Peony

Spellbinders ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Carnation Creations

Spellbinders ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Wonderful Wings

Spellbinders - M-Bossabilities, Flora

Stamps :-

Art Gone Wild ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Dear Sir

Stencils :-

Want2Scrap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Small Heart Stencil

Want2Scrap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Build Your Own Bling

Recollections ~ Adhesive Rhinestone Hearts

Bling :-

Want2Scrap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Nestabling, Wonderful Wings

Embellishments :-

Prima ~ Junkyard Findings - Industrial Lamps

Prima ~ Shabby Chic Treasures - Resin Corner and Window

Around the Block Flair ~ Big Metal Brads

Pink Frame - Stash

Tim Holtz ~ Tissue Tape

Darice ~ Washi - Newspaper Headline

Doily - Stash

Fabrics :-

Want2Scrap ~ Donna Salazar Designs - Canvas

Crushed Voile, Ivory

A huge thank you to Donna Salazar and her team for creating such BEAUTIFUL layouts for us!

Guest Design Team Inspiration from 2 Crafty Chipboard!

Hello there Scrap Around The World fans!

Today we have some extra inspiration to share with you from one of
 our sponsors this month, 2 Crafty Chipboard, who are Guest Designing for us!!

They've created some beautiful layouts based on
 our current Mood Board & optional  sketch. 

Boy oh boy did they push the boat out for us or what?!

THANK YOU so much to the designers at 2 Crafty for 

creating such jaw-dropping creations for us here!!

Melinda Thompson {Australia}

I followed the sketch but instead of 2 photos I used some chipboard
 in place of 1 of the photos. I was inspired by the blues & pinks in the 
mood board as well as the flowers, doilies, bows, typewriter,
 chevron arrows in the cushion.

Sarah Groen {New Zealand}

I was inspired by the 'girlie' feel of the mood board & used 

similar colours as well as a doily photo mat, inspired by the 

doily vases - this was a great challenge to participate in!

Heather Jacob {Australia}

The images of the flowers , lacy vase & the shoes suggested a romantic 

 mood to me, which made me think of Paris!   The city of love, romance & art!!

 Beautiful  blooms, art, romance & of course the magnificent Eiffel Tower.

Lindy Gillespie {Australia}

I was inspired by the image of the shoes as I love everything

 pretty so I honed in on the pink & went for PRETTY!!

Felicity Wilson- {Australia}

I was totally inspired by the colours in the mood board & the patterns

 - big LOVE!  That was my starting point along with the sketch,

 which I flipped & came up with a page that I love!!

Nicole Doiron {Canada}

I turned the sketch clockwise to better align my single-photo layout.

 I was inspired by the pretty colours on the mood board, namely the pinks, 

yellows, whites & blues. The doily vases inspired me to use doilies as well 

as a lace doily punch. 

Chantal Vandenberg {Australia}

Inspiration came from the colour palette, doily vases & chevron design
 on the cushion.  The angle of the flower stems inspired my chipboard flourish
placement & the frame inspired me to frame one of my photos in gold,
 adding touches of luxe gold here & there too :)

 Elena Olinevich {Belarus}

 Keren Tamir {Canada}

As I'm a DT member for both 2 Crafty & Scrap Around The World I 

decided to create another layout this month for the 2 Crafty Feature!

 I was inspired by the blue hues, the chevron pattern & of course the flowers!!

And last but not least we have Di Garling's layout, seen previously in our September

 reveal post, as Di has joined our team here at Scrap Around The World too!

Di Garling {Australia}

I used the sketched but turned it on its side, the mood board was a great

 inspiration too. I used both the pink & aqua from the board as well as 

the flowers & the polka dots. The lace doily also inspired me to use the 

2 Crafty chipboard lace border too.

Please remember to leave some COMMENT LOVE for these talented ladies

 & don't forget to pop over to the 2 Crafty blog here for more inspiration!!